Launched in 2007, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X will be the last of the Evo family to be powered exclusively by a petrol engine, according to Mitsubishi managing director of product projects and strategy group Ryugo Nakao.

“We consider Lancer Evolution like [the] Pajero, which established our brand,”Nakao-san told Australian motoring press at today’s Tokyo motor show via an interpreter.

“However, with current Evolution with gasoline engine, it will be difficult to market the next-generation Evolution. Evolution X is the last of its kind with a petrol engine.”

Asked if the Evo would be dropped in the coming years, Nakao-san said it was yet to be decided.

“It all depends on customer demand of course. In terms of volume, Evolution X is not a big volume seller.”

Meanwhile, the future of the company’s performance sub-brand, Ralliart, is also undetermined, with Mitsubishi Motors Japan unlikely to invest into further Ralliart models for the time being.

“We would like to maintain the Ralliart brand, however, not with the development of these cars,” he said.

“Instead, we hope that distributers of each country support us in the development for Ralliart. This is because for our sports car segment with our current technology, it’s very difficult to conduct environmental protection [while making internal combustion engine sports cars].”

Nakao-san believes it’s not possible for Mitsubishi to achieve what it wants in the sports car segment with its current electric or plug-in hybrid technology. If it does create future sports car, it will do so in-house without technology or assistance from its Renault-Nissan Alliance.

“We cannot do both environmental protection and [internal combustion-engine-only] sports car at the same time, it will take time for us to make it possible. So concentrate on PHEV and EV first, then based on this development, we will like to support the next-generation of sports car if possible.”

They should at least refine the performance and give it a little face lift like what Nissan’s doing with the GT-R.

pixxxels

Mitsubishi should just roll over and die already.

Nathan

See Toyota did this 10 years ago and they’re only now realising their mistake.

WQe

Seriously you neglect your bread and salt product for some Mirages and Attrages.
Only thing this Lancer wants is weight reduction and full time restyling(exterior and interior) and you’re good to go. Lancer is still on GS platform so you are not exhibiting something “radical”, new Outlander is there as a showcase of how you can make something good even better without that much effort. It has more equipment, less weight, goes better, yields better economy, goes by the same price.

Russ

Mitsu bosses make a strategic mistake! Unless they come up with a new EvoXI soon they remaining loyal customers will leave for Subarus, Nissans etc. Their paranoic obsession with electric cars will cost them a lot.. How a company can screw itself up by neglecting its legendary flagship called Evo..?